title: State and territory EHDI databases: what we do and don't know about the hearing or audiological data from identified children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to define the information currently collected by state and territory Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) coordinators and to determine whether best practice guidelines are used.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multiple-choice electronic survey querying areas of diagnostic assessment, amplification, early intervention (EI) and medical information regarding hearing loss was sent to all state and territory EHDI coordinators.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy percent of surveys were completed. Diagnostic, amplification, and Part C services were tracked by the majority of respondents. Additionally, medical prenatal and postnatal risks were collected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data collected on audiologic screening and diagnostic evaluations has increased. On the basis of these results, it is difficult to discern whether best practices are being used for each child. A delay in reporting a confirmed hearing loss was observed. Amplification results suggest that systems are not in place to ensure consistency and accountability for fitting amplification in infants. The results of this survey identified audiologic and EI information tracked by states to help provide a framework to monitor quality care in the future.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uhler
authors.forename: Vickie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cyr
authors.forename: Sandra Abbott
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Gabbard
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yoshinaga-Itano
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D014481:United States